Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 13:27:01

Title: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 13:27:01
I cant find a single product thats any good at turning faded black bumpers back to the original black lustre  :( Tried them all , back to black ect ect to no avail . Anyone used a product that actually works ?  :-\
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: The Sheriff on 24 March 2015, 13:32:46
They all look good for a while, but they wash off.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 March 2015, 13:34:09
Old engine oil.  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: The Sheriff on 24 March 2015, 13:35:54
Old engine oil.  :y
I was gonna suggest that but then I remembered how mine smelled. ;D
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: The Sheriff on 24 March 2015, 13:36:44
But wait! An omega smells of leaking oil all the time.

Yes....use old engine oil  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 13:40:11
But wait! An omega smells of leaking oil all the time.

Yes....use old engine oil  :y

Its not an omega , its an oil tight rice burner  :P But the stuff ive used like back to black just streaks or washes off like you say  :(
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 24 March 2015, 13:43:30
The heath robinson one people often say is peanut oil / rub peanut butter on it - it does actually work, though don't be surprised if you come back to your parked car and find dogs licking your bumpers; or Americans.

AutoGlym plastic dressing personally I find fantastic, and lasts and lasts - I've often seen it applied one year, then only needs another 'do' many, many months later.  :)

Anything like 'back to black' that's like runny shoe polish stay away from, as this is a dye, which, as said, just washes off. It's more of a coating, whereas the Autoglym stuff is like a silicone-like gloopy substance (not dissimilar in feel to swarfega) which 'adds moisture' to the dry plastic.  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: The Sheriff on 24 March 2015, 13:45:37
When my blackwork gets to that stage, I just buy a new car.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 March 2015, 13:46:32
Gently warm it up with a hot air gun  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 13:47:42
The heath robinson one people often say is peanut oil / rub peanut butter on it - it does actually work, though don't be surprised if you come back to your parked car and find dogs licking your bumpers; or Americans.

AutoGlym plastic dressing personally I find fantastic, and lasts and lasts - I've often seen it applied one year, then only needs another 'do' many, many months later.  :)

Anything like 'back to black' that's like runny shoe polish stay away from, as this is a dye, which, as said, just washes off. It's more of a coating, whereas the Autoglym stuff is like a silicone-like gloopy substance (not dissimilar in feel to swarfega) which 'adds moisture' to the dry plastic.  :y

Thanks dbg  ;) I will try that then  :y Peanut butter will have the cats all licking the bumpers , got enough of them jumping on the car at the minute  ;D
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 13:49:56
Gently warm it up with a hot air gun  :y

Yes i did try that but it didnt seem to work very well , i even bought a hot air gun for that purpose .. maybe some plastics react differently  :-\ I can give it another go on a trial piece  :)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 March 2015, 13:57:06
I use 'shoe black'. The stuff from the bottle with the felt pad. :y

Works well and last about a dozen washes. :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 24 March 2015, 13:57:40
When my blackwork gets to that stage, I just buy a new car.

Rich git.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 14:03:09
I use 'shoe black'. The stuff from the bottle with the felt pad. :y

Works well and last about a dozen washes. :y

Interesting  ??? Ill give the autoglym stuff a go , just watched the video on it and looks like it does a great job  :y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbD36jbqVfY

Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Terbs on 24 March 2015, 14:44:52
As Mark says...heat gun. My Laguna strips faded to a light grey. I carefully used the heat gun and they came up like new. Take your time and mind the paint  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Crazycarzowner on 24 March 2015, 14:47:21
My old P38 Rangie suffered from faded bumpers and the front grill. After trying several useless products, I took all affected trims & grill off, pressure washed, dried & then blew em over with a matt black rattle can. Looked really good when dried too and for not much effort really......Might be an idea  :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: ronnyd on 24 March 2015, 20:31:04
I used yo use the Autoglym Bumpercare on my old PFL, stayed black for a few weeks anyway. :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: humbucker on 24 March 2015, 20:33:59
I've used this to great effect on my Cavalier Turbo's textured plastic bump strips:

Autobrite Direct 'Berry Blast Endurance' Trim & Tyre Gel:
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/berry-blast-endurance-trim-tyre-gel-1.html (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/berry-blast-endurance-trim-tyre-gel-1.html)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: symes on 24 March 2015, 21:01:24
mate whats up with you---you saw me re black plastic with a heat gun---ffs  the plastic fades because uv from sun dries out -so heat gun brings color back---anybody that does bodywork knows this old trick  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 21:17:54
mate whats up with you---you saw me re black plastic with a heat gun---ffs  the plastic fades because uv from sun dries out -so heat gun brings color back---anybody that does bodywork knows this old trick  :y

Last time i tried with the heat gun was on that vectra you worked on  :D Im going to have another go at it on the rice burner , then if that dont work will try what the chaps on here have recommended  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: omegod on 24 March 2015, 21:25:20
Heat gun worked well on a 7 series I had with shadowline trim, Pbutter works very well on my Saab, done it twice in ayear
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 21:29:56
Heat gun worked well on a 7 series I had with shadowline trim, Pbutter works very well on my Saab, done it twice in ayear

Will get some from the £ shop  :y I wouldnt eat it from there  :(
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: omegod on 24 March 2015, 21:30:22
Heat gun worked well on a 7 series I had with shadowline trim, Pbutter works very well on my Saab, done it twice in ayear

Will get some from the £ shop  :y I wouldnt eat it from there  :(

Make sure it's the smooth one  ;D
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 24 March 2015, 21:31:23
Heat gun worked well on a 7 series I had with shadowline trim, Pbutter works very well on my Saab, done it twice in ayear

Will get some from the £ shop  :y I wouldnt eat it from there  :(

Make sure it's the smooth one  ;D

 :D

Pattern p'butter ok  ;D
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: kevinp58 on 24 March 2015, 21:40:57
I use this it always works for me I apply it liberally and rubbing it in and leave to dry then buff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARPLAN-BLACK-TRIM-WAX-CLEANS-RESTORES-BLACK-TRIM-BUMPERS-MOULDINGS-/391068329985?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b0d7d2801
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: chrisgixer on 24 March 2015, 21:57:05
Get a face lift ::) ;D


Or, I used wd40 on my old 2.5       .....no it doesn't last either. But it's to hand, and as good as that back to black shite.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Vamps on 25 March 2015, 00:04:58
Forget all the 'Products' use black shoe polish, works a treat on exterior trim........ :y :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: dbug on 25 March 2015, 01:21:03
+1 for heat gun :y

Also any cheapo silicone spray will do the job (try mould release spray)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 25 March 2015, 19:14:44
Forget all the 'Products' use black shoe polish, works a treat on exterior trim........ :y :y

Will the peanut butter mix with that  :D ;)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: relluf on 25 March 2015, 19:26:56
Or just use cheap vegetable oil!
I have used that and had good results ,cheaper than peanut butter.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 25 March 2015, 19:33:30
Or just use cheap vegetable oil!
I have used that and had good results ,cheaper than peanut butter.

Well the back to black has all washed off overnight  ;D ;D ;D Got a few things to try thanks to you chaps  :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 25 March 2015, 19:54:25
Online, buy BlackWow. Best I have used by far, and I am incredibly anal. Made my 20 year old 190Es bumpers come up like new.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: gstylebaby on 25 March 2015, 20:54:58
G techniq c4.  Suppose to last up to two years. :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Vamps on 25 March 2015, 23:40:52
Forget all the 'Products' use black shoe polish, works a treat on exterior trim........ :y :y

Will the peanut butter mix with that  :D ;)

You may laugh, but I have found that using shoe polish makes it look more normal, I don't like many 'products' because they often leave the black trim look to shiny and false, bit like tyre black................ :)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 25 March 2015, 23:54:23
Johnson's Baby Oil

Apply liberally with a rag and buff with a terry cloth/microfibre cloth if you don't like a gloss effect.

It lasts months.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Vamps on 26 March 2015, 00:41:08
Johnson's Baby Oil

Apply liberally with a rag and buff with a terry cloth/microfibre cloth if you don't like a gloss effect.

It lasts months.

I thought that was for under bonnet cleaning, to shiny for bumpers or black exterior trim, if you are looking for a natural look.............. :)
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Lazydocker on 28 March 2015, 10:50:56
I'm with Vamps... Black shoe polish, the liquid stuff with a sponge on the end.
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 March 2015, 11:20:00
For a quick and dirty (and not long lasting), WD40 gives a back-to-black shine. Need to keep doing it though, but cheaper than all other guff, and works as well.

I will try heat method, not heard of that before. Is a good hairdryer enough, or will I have to buy heatgun?
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 28 March 2015, 11:41:33
Hair drier ought to suffice... you're simply removing an oxidised layer with heat, not renoulding the bumper :y
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 28 March 2015, 14:55:39
For a quick and dirty (and not long lasting), WD40 gives a back-to-black shine. Need to keep doing it though, but cheaper than all other guff, and works as well.

I will try heat method, not heard of that before. Is a good hairdryer enough, or will I have to buy heatgun?

You will be there all day with a hairdryer  ::) Tried it , you need a proper heat gun . On the bumper i tried the heat gun on it wouldnt bring the blackness out  :(
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: ckz on 28 March 2015, 15:25:58
I cant find a single product thats any good at turning faded black bumpers back to the original black lustre  :( Tried them all , back to black ect ect to no avail . Anyone used a product that actually works ?  :-\


right, take it or leave it.
my missus her scenic has this black fading bumper plastic stuff.
whatever i tried it went back to ugly grey bleach kind of colour.

i got from a mate which cleans cars for living this stuff what they use for the tyres / rubber. ( wet look )
its a tyre paint, and since i do this every 2 month the bumpers and plastics staying black. like new ones.

i have no idea where you get this stuff from. i have as i thought in case he gives his job up two canisters, indistrial size because it is so good i don't want to live without any more. lol

honestly i use it after i wash my car on the tyres. looking wet and new. lol
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 28 March 2015, 15:35:33
Gentlemen , i have used the Autoglym stuff , bumpers and trim have come up very good .. time will tell if it lasts . It mite need a few treatments but a little goes a long way  :y
If that fails i will try some of which you have recommended .
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 28 March 2015, 18:19:39
Does your Corolla not come with colour coded bumpers then?  :-\                                                                                                                                     ;D
Title: Re: Bumper blackener ?
Post by: EMD on 28 March 2015, 18:22:32
Does your Corolla not come with colour coded bumpers then?  :-\                                                                                                                                     ;D

I dont know , its not a Corolla  :P ;)